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Leinster will be making a big mistake if they don't go full strength. I expect them to be at full strength myself seeing that they played a mostly B side last week,
It’s a URC quarter final against Ulster. No one in Leinster is going to get thrilled about that. Plus fans have been forking out mega bucks recently. Let’s see if Ulster are so confident when they have to face Leinster’s first team for a change.
Dunno. Both ULS wins over LEI were against 2nd LEI teams. This‘ll be a whole different ballgame. LEI will want to salvage something from their season no doubt about it.
Completely agree. If the coaches could do one thing differently this year it would be to take a fully loaded side to South Africa. Don't "save" people for particular games - focus on putting the best side you can out each week and develop that momentum. Rotate players in and out, but don't run an A team and B team. Also make a proper call at 10 - which two from the Byrne brothers and Prendergast (could add Frawley in there too) do you want to grow into the jersey and back him. Let the other one or two go on loan or leave.
Very good analysis from Fez. Cullen has to go! He has been repeating the same mistakes over and over again and Leinster keep losing finals. Definition of madness to repeat the same crazy decisions and expect a different result.
I agree. This Leinster first 23 did not play enough together this year. Also, Frawley was not given enough time at 10. Not sure why they think he can be cover for that position in these big games, if they don't think him good enough to be even a back up 10 on a normal day. They waited a long time to bring him on when Ross was hobbling. Its like they have no faith at all in him. I think it has to be hurting him. He looked frustrated waiting on the sideline to come on while Byrne was p[laying on one leg for nearly 7 minutes.
The essence of what Steve said was ok, but a few fairly big errors. As someone else mentioned Johnny Sexton wasn't playing last year as he was injured, and it did probably make a difference. Also Ulster definitely don't want to finish lower than 7th, I get the point that they would prefer to avoid the Bulls in the quarters, but because of the Sharks Challenge Cup victory, only the top 7 URC teams will qualify for the Champions Cup next season.
Stephen hinted at it there but many of the assumptions we hold or are told by the media are not really holding up under scrutiny. The quality is not coming through because of skill or lack of game time etc. needs examining!
I have to agree, that would also tie in to the hive mind attack that is just gone, not struggling, gone, we all wanted to see Frawley at 10 for a long time. Leo Cullen has had his day, he is making the same mistakes for the last 3 years. With the selection of talent he has had, sadly, he should have done better. Those boys should have all played this week against Connacht, get back on the horse and get a bonus point win, but no, Leo again decided with a B team and run the risk , crazy
Speak for yourself on wanting Frawley at 10. He missed two drop goals in the biggest match of the season! not good enough. Sam P. should have been on the bench for that game. He is a natural 10 with flare and vision of where he wants to the ball to go with him only being 21! Frawley is 27 now and if he can't cut in club games how is he going to do at international? Sam P. dominated against Connacht without having virtually any games under his belt. Thats the difference. As for the bench it has let them down for the last three years seeing how they lose at the end. Conan, McGarth, Healy, and to an extend Ryan probably need to go as they do not have any impact off the bench. Look at Munster's bench they were the big difference against Ulster last weekend and that's why they won. Leinster can't expect to be leading in every game especially against a top class team like Toulouse. This is where the bench is crucial. It's a worrying sign that those players Conan, McGarth, Healy, and Ryan were terrible against Ulster the week before, and yet they keep their spot on the bench? Where is the competitiveness for spots? Leo must have picked the bench because he kept going on about experience but the experience off the bench hasn't gotten them over the line in the past three finals. This is where Leo must change things up. At this point those older players are not making much of a difference for all their experience. Something's gotta give, and they should be looking to drop players who are not making a difference in terms of changing the game towards winning it.
Congratulations to Toulouse . Fine margins after 100 minutes of exciting rugby . Everybody gave it 100 % you can't ask more than that . Leinster will be there again next year .
Pete Finnerty, John Leahy, Jackie Tryell. The Rock, know as ‘Pebbles’ in Kilkenny. Benny Dunne, wee Tommy showed him what being hard is. Dunnes act against wee Tommy, the most cowardly act I have ever seen, shame on Dunne.
Irish is NOT his native language. He is a native English speaker. Being from Ireland doesn't make Irish your "native language," being an actual native speaker of the language does that.
Northampton have some very good talent there that is showing in their results and international call ups with quite a few of those players making up part of the England team that beat Ireland in the six nations. Leinster have fallen short at the final hurdle a few times now so there is just no room for complacency. They’ve been punched in the gut too many times that it has to be full focus until the trophy is in their hands.
With 85k capacity at Croke Park, the atmosphere should be electric. Hopefully lots of Northampton fans were able to snag tickets. Expect Leinster to edge it, but it will be close IMO. Northampton are a very good side.
